Saturday 28 March 2020

What a gift - 'Postman Poet' author sends books set in Devon by post, without leaving home

At this difficult time when most of the shops are shut, one Devon author is offering to post copies of her books to readers – without leaving her home!

Liz Shakespeare says ‘I have a post box in my front garden, so I can post a book to you or to one of your friends or relatives, while obeying the Stay At Home order!’

Liz lives at The Old Post Office in Littleham. Although there is no longer a post office in her front room, the Royal Mail post box is still there.

She says, ‘If you need to send a birthday present, a get well present, or just want to escape into another world for a while, choose a book set in Devon from my website www.lizshakespeare.co.uk or give me a ring on 01237 471165.’

Liz Shakespeare has become well known throughout the south-west for the five books she has written, all of which are set in Devon. Liz says ‘My inspiration is the people, the history and the landscapes of Devon. The most topical of my books is Fever: A Story from a Devon Churchyard which tells the true story of a Devon village struggling to cope during an epidemic 150 years ago.’

Also available is The Turning of the Tide, a novel based on the true story of a young Clovelly mother confined in Bideford Workhouse, The Postman Poet which tells the story of Devon man Edward Capern, The Memory Be Green: An Oral History of a Devon Village and All Around The Year, a book of short stories set in Devon.
Postage is free - Liz can sign books and inscribe them for a special present on request. '
Contact Liz through her website for book titles and prices www.lizshakespeare.co.uk 
Tel: 01237 471165

Monday 2 March 2020

North Devon Biosphere needs you support. "Tell us your view of the future of our rivers and seas?"

Calling all North Devon and Torridge locals, businesses and visitors who value the natural beauty of our seas and coasts, care about protecting nature, are users of our water environment or whose livelihoods depend on it - the North Devon Biosphere team needs your input to our Marine Natural Capital Plan. This plan puts nature first, with thoughtful and sustainable local actions to improve and restore the marine environment for the benefit of people, society and the local economy, now and in the future.

Over the last three years, with the help of academics, local stakeholder groups and regulatory bodies (including the fishing industry, conservation organisations, businesses, local groups and people, marine managers and scientists) aims and objectives have been identified for the plan. However, to have a workable plan, feedback and new suggestions from local people and visitors to the North Devon Biosphere are vitally important. If there's something you feel we've overlooked which is important to you - this is your opportunity to be heard. How we use and protect our marine environment now will have a direct impact on future generations who live, work in or visit North Devon, so please, have your say.

Some of the priorities identified for the North Devon Biosphere are to achieve sustainable and viable local fisheries, to create new jobs in sustainable aquaculture and to promote sustainable tourism and recreation. There are also calls to improve water quality, protect our amazing marine biodiversity and enhance resilience to natural hazards and future climate change. To deliver a successful marine natural capital plan, we need to have the views and support of the local community.

"Whether you have a personal, environmental, social or economic interest in North Devon, your views are important to us. The health of the marine environment affects all of North Devon, both inland and in coastal areas. We want to hear your view and receive feedback on what you think of the plan. By working together with the local community, we can build an effective and deliverable plan that represents the people of the North Devon Biosphere while enhancing our amazing marine habitats and wildlife" said Chrissie Ingle, Marine team, North Devon Biosphere

Our consultation process will run for six weeks from early March, with a variety of methods to submit your feedback. We will be inviting people to read the plan and provide input through our website, by email or even by letter. We will also be running a series of 'drop-in' days throughout North Devon, where you can come and ask us about the plan. At the drop-in days, we will also be screening our amazing Journey to the Sea short films, filmed within the North Devon Biosphere which highlight the connection and importance between people, land and the sea. For a group or organisation, we are also offering to attend your event or meeting to present and/or discuss the plan with you.  All details provided on the North Devon Biospere website

Drop in day times and locations

  • Monday 9th March Braunton Countryside Centre 15:00 – 19:00
  • Tuesday 10th March The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington 11:00 – 14:00
  • Tuesday 10th March  Hatherleigh Community Centre 15:00 – 19:00
  • Wednesday 11th March Exmoor National Park Office, Lynmouth 11:00 – 16:00
  • Thursday 12th March Mole Valley Farmers Store, South Molton 11:00 – 16:00
  • Thursday 12th March Barnstaple Town Library 11:00 – 16:00
  • Friday 13th March  Northam Burrows Visitor Centre 12:00 – 16:00
  • Saturday 14th March Clovelly Visitor Centre 11:00 – 16:00
  • Sunday 15th March Ilfracombe Harbour Master’s office 12:00- 16:00
Ilfracombe Harbour fishing - Photo copyright Nina Constable Media (All Rights Reserved)
 Ilfracombe Harbour fishing - Photo credit Nina Constable Media
Dartmoor Stream, Farming Nethercott, Estuary Birds - Photo copyright Nina Constable Media (All Rights Reserved)
Dartmoor Stream, Farming Nethercott, Estuary Birds - Photo credit Nina Constable Media
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Tell us your view of the future of our rivers and seas?
Tap here to visit North Devon Biosphere website for all details
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North Devon's Biosphere Reserve is the first new-style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the UK. It exists to inspire a positive future by connecting people and nature. The Biosphere in North Devon is a special place with wonderful wildlife and landscapes, and an economy and social structure still strongly linked to the environment but it is also more than that. It is a community of people working together to champion life and the environment, empower people to get involved and explore new ways of living that address local and global challenges.
 www.biosphere.org.uk
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Monday 24 February 2020

VOTE FOR CLOVELLY'S BESSIE. Cockwells Nominated for Two Classic Boat Awards: Show Your Support and Vote

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding could win not just one but two coveted industry awards if local people participate in a public vote between now and midnight on Monday 9th March 2020.

The latest model in Cockwells’ popular Duchy Motor Launch series – the Twin Cabin Duchy 35 – that was unveiled at the 2019 Southampton International Boat Show has been shortlisted in the Powered Vessels category of the 2020 Classic Boat Awards.

Historic Falmouth working boat, Bessie – which has been restored by Cockwells’ apprentices – has also been nominated in the Restoration of the Year (under 40ft) class.

The Classic Boat Awards celebrate the best newly-built boats and restorations in the ‘wonderful world of traditional vessels and the people who float them.’

The Twin Cabin Duchy 35, designed by Andrew Wolstenholme and built by Cockwells, has been described by the judges as possessing the ‘good harbour launch looks of her sisters’, the Duchy 21 and Duchy 27.

Duchy Motor Launches are classically-designed, handcrafted, semi-production vessels that are built from low maintenance composites and defined by the seemingly infinite number of optional extras that can be incorporated – from teak decks and leather seating to custom glassware in tailor-made stowage.

The Twin Cabin Duchy 35 demonstrates an even greater level of customisation to revolutionise layout as well as ease of use.

“The Duchy 35 is for cruising and relaxing, and offers unrivalled seakeeping with style,” explains Founder and Managing Director, Dave Cockwell. “The twin cabin layout transforms the boat into a comfortable family cruiser with a galley located in the spacious saloon and two double berths below,” he adds. “The shower compartment offers generous headroom and a full-width electric sunroof enables you to take in panoramic sea views from all-round windows. Your choice of hardwood joinery, electronics and upholstery complete the picture.”

At the traditional end of the spectrum, Bessie was built in Looe in 1904 to work the oyster beds of the Helford River. Later, she raced in Falmouth. Now, she is all set to sail visitors across Bideford Bay in the summer months.

This restoration involved much work to her hull as apprentice, Jack Sullivan, explains: “We had to re-plank, which involved learning how to ‘spile’, or take a pattern from an old plank and create a new one, as well as re-fasten old planks and replace frames. I really enjoyed putting my hands to something with a bit of heritage and learning the techniques of proper, traditional boatbuilding as part of my real-time work experience through Cockwells’ Apprenticeships.”

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted twice in this prestigious industry awards scheme and hope that the public will support us by voting for the Twin Cabin Duchy 35 as well as Bessie,” concludes Dave Cockwell. “These vessels showcase the breadth of our expertise from the artisan skills of the traditional shipwright to the style, seakeeping and technical innovation that we are renowned for at the luxury end of the market.”

Winners of the Classic Boat Awards 2020 will be announced in the May issue of Classic Boat magazine, which is published on 3rd April 2020.

Bessie Restored. Photo copyright Ellie Jarvis (All Rights Reserved)
Bessie Restored. Photo credit Ellie Jarvis - VOTE BESSIE
Bessie Pre-restoration. Photo copyright Cockwells (All Rights Reserved)
Bessie Pre-restoration. Photo credit Cockwells
Cockwells' Duchy 35. Photo copyright  Andrew Wright (All Rights Reserved)
Cockwells' Duchy 35. Photo credit Andrew Wright  VOTE DUCHY 35
Cockwells' Duchy 35 Twin Cabin Master Cabin Photo copyright Emily Harris (All Rights Reserved)
Cockwells' Duchy 35 Twin Cabin Master Cabin. Photo credit Emily Harris
Cockwells' Apprentice, Jack Sullivan who worked on the restoration of Bessie. Photo copyright Cockwells' (All Rights Reserved)
 Cockwells' Apprentice, Jack Sullivan who worked on the restoration of Bessie. Photo credit Cockwells
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FOLLOW COCKWELLS
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About Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding is based in Mylor Creek Boatyard near Falmouth in Cornwall, at the westerly edge of the UK. We build bespoke superyacht tenders, motor launches and sailing yachts in any material to your precise requirements and our exacting standards. We are also the proud creators of the Duchy Motor Launch brand – a prestigious semi-production launch with a range of 21ft to 60ft. Our Mylor Creek Boatyard is also fully equipped to offer refits, restorations and engineering services for local yachts, and superyacht tenders from all over the world.

About The Cockwells Academy
The Cockwells Academy is aimed primarily at post-GCSE students who are enrolled on a full-time course at Falmouth Marine School. It offers specific work experience days and masterclasses at the company’s Mylor Creek Boatyard for one academic year. Up to ten applicants are selected each year to benefit from real-time work experience as well as access to Cockwells’ highly-skilled craftsmen and elements of the boatbuilding process that it may not be possible for them to encounter during their studies at college. Through this process, students hone the practical skills they need in order to become professional boatbuilders.Following assessment at the end of the year, a number of students from The Cockwells Academy are selected to continue their training at the company as paid apprentices for three years, after which, they become fully-qualified boatbuilders. To apply for The Cockwells Academy, please contact Falmouth Marine School on 0330 123 4783 or email falenquiries@cornwall.ac.uk.